Benefits of Buttermilk

The traditional homemade buttermilk is the somewhat sour, residual fluid that is left after butter is churned. Buttermilk is a kind of probiotic food that contains living microorganisms. These are so powerful that they can survive the digestive passage from the mouth to the stomach and become active on reaching the intestines. The colon of all living organisms including humans contains living healthy bacteria. In return for the food and the warm place they receive from the human body these resident bacteria make positive contributions to your health. The many health benefits of these bacteria include:

1.Enhances the immune system of the body.
The lactic acid bacteria present in butter milk is a good bacteria and help in improving the general immunity of the body.

2.Reduces body heat.
Buttermilk is highly efficient in dipping the amount of heat produced in the body due to many internal and external conditions such as high temperature. Therefore, buttermilk is consumed large quantities during summer season.

3.Cures digestive problems.
People suffering with digestive problems are often suggested to increase their consumption of butter milk instead of milk. This is because it contains lactic acid and can be digested easily and quickly.

4.Provides essential nutrients to the body.
Buttermilk contains rich amounts of minerals like potassium, phosphorus and calcium. It also provides the body with essential nutrients like Vitamin B12 .

5.Helps in weight loss.
The quality of buttermilk is just opposite to its name. A cup of buttermilk contains just 2.2 grams of fat and about 99 calories, as compared to whole milk that contains 8.9 grams fat and 157 calories. Regular intake of buttermilk provides the body with all essential nutrients and does not add many fats and calories to the body. It is thus helpful in weight loss.

6.Protects the body against carcinogens.
The friendly bacteria present in buttermilk protect the body against the negative effects of carcinogens. It is thus useful in protecting the body against many diseases.

7.Benefits to the heart.
Intake of buttermilk helps to protect the body against cardiovascular diseases like heart strokes. This is due to the low fat content of buttermilk. Regular consumption thus helps in maintain the health of the heart.

In olden days, buttermilk was obtained as a left over product after skimming butter from milk. The remaining fluid was then allowed to ferment naturally resulting in the formation of a thin, sweet traditional kind of buttermilk. Nowadays, buttermilk is prepared by adding living bacterial cultures to fat-free or low-fat milk. The live cultures added to milk increase the health benefits provided by it. It also gives buttermilk a distinctive, rich, and creamy texture.